Method and apparatus for cartridge-based carbonation of beverages

• Main Authors: Wilkins Paul, Dobson Barry, Hartley Kevin, Estabrook Richard, Stacey Gary, Grubb Scott, O'Prey Cormac, Angotti Marc, Cohen Mark Joseph, Campbell Neil Lester, Jones Ross Peter, Jackson Thomas Bates, Consoli Frank, Schmitt Camilla, Martinez Nicolas Alejandro, Mottram Niall Allan, Thompson Keith Paul, Peterson Peter, Chan Wai Ting, Cauwood Peter David, Carroll Ray, Kilby Charles Frazer, Roach Chris, Gulla Shawn, Richardson Christopher Paul, Schmitt Fabien Yannick, Huot Carlson Jennifer Caitlin, Rollings Nicholas David, Hewitt James, Novak Thomas J, Hember Miles William Noel, Covey Chris, Packard Ross
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 16.01.2018
• Subjects: ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES; BLASTING; COFFEE MILLS; CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS,e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES,DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; CONVEYING; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED,LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; FOODS, FOODSTUFFS, OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT COVERED BYSUBCLASSES A23B - A23J; FURNITURE; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; HEATING; HUMAN NECESSITIES; KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; LIGHTING; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING, DISPERSING; PACKAGES; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKING; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL; PRESERVATION OF FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS, IN GENERAL; SPICE MILLS; STORING; STORING OF DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL; THEIR PREPARATION OR TREATMENT, e.g. COOKING, MODIFICATION OFNUTRITIVE QUALITIES, PHYSICAL TREATMENT; THEIR TREATMENT, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES; TRANSPORTING; VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED ORSOLIDIFIED GASES; WEAPONS

Systems, methods and cartridges for carbonating or otherwise dissolving gas in a precursor liquid, such as water, to form a beverage. A gas source can be provided in a cartridge which is used to generate gas that is dissolved into the precursor liquid. A beverage medium, such as a powdered drink mix or liquid syrup, may be provided in the same, or a separate cartridge as the gas source and mixed with the precursor liquid to form a beverage. The use of one or more cartridges for the gas source and/or beverage medium may make for an easy to use and mess-free system for making sparkling beverages, e.g., in the consumer's home.